In a bid to address the spectrum crunch in the country and growing demand for machine-to-machine communications, the Indian government has allocated a total of 127 Mhz spectrum to eight entities.

The allocation is initially aimed at testing of TV whitespace technology.The government allocated 60 Mhz spectrum to ERNET- an autonomous body under the Telecom Ministry, 20 Mhz to power equipment maker BHEL, 10 Mhz or less each to IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore, Tata Advanced Systems and 10 Mhz to Collector and Magistrate at Amrawati, according to Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The TV whitespace technology can ensure hassle-free reception of mobile signals inside buildings and basements. The technology is being developed in 470-582 Mhz band to utilise it for commercial mobile services. It utilises part of spectrum that remains unused while transmitting broadcast signals.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said, “Government has issued eight licences for carrying out experiments at several places, using TV whitespace technology, in the frequency band 470-582 Mhz.”